STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 357 



hnproving the present facilities for direct transportation of fruit from 

 the wharves of the principal lake cities through the 8t. Lawrence to 

 the Liverpool and London markets. In suggesting the importance 

 of securing government appropriations to aid in enlarging certain 

 inland channels of navigation for the passage of ocean steamers, by 

 which their objects might be attained, the possibility of interference 

 and opposition from those interested in the trans-shipment of western 

 produce from tlie principal Atlantic ports, whence the bulk of our 

 fruits now go forward by steam conveyance has occurred to them ; 

 as if the subject of speedy and cheap transportation of western 

 fruits to foreign ports could be inimical to the interests of either the 

 apple-growers of the eastern States or the proprietors of the ocean 

 carrying-trade. Why we should wish to use any obstacles for the 

 prevention of the economical transmission of fruit from the farw^est 

 to Europe, I cannot comprehend. The excellent quality and well 

 known reputation of Maine apples in distant markets render it 

 unnecessary that we should feel any jealous^' of the success of even 

 the most highly favored sections in the matter of seeking a market 

 for our own increasing products. IMaine, with the maritime prov- 

 inces of Canada, constitutes the very best located position for foreign 

 commercial operations in fruit of an3' section of the continent 



It has moreover, all the essential requisites for growing the best 

 fruits in unlimited abundance. A million barrels of the best qualit}' 

 of Baldwin apples per year is not an extravagant estimate of the 

 capabilitj- of our State to raise for a foreign market within the next 

 twent3--five years, if our farmers and orchardists improve well the 

 advantages within their control. At the lowest probable price, that 

 will be e(|iial to an income of $1,000,000 and at average annual 

 prices, not much less than $3,000,000. 



A notable invention is reported from Montreal of interest to ship- 

 pers of fruit to foreign ports, by which some of our tender and 

 perishable fruits can be kept for months in good condition and even 

 endure the risks ot an ocean voyage to Eui'ope. The inventor, Mr. 

 George A. Cochrane, made a very satisfactory test of his process l)y 

 putting awa}' pears, apples and tomatoes about the 23d of Septem- 

 ber, whieli were mostly in excellent condition on the Oth of Decem- 

 ber. He also reported that he hud transported melons, tomatoes 

 and such like delicate fruits to the London market the past summer 

 (1881) in perfect condition. 



